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Enda Kenny said Northern Ireland political talks and Brexit will are his "immediate priorities"

"We remain firmly focused on securing the resumption of devolved government and the formation of an Executive within the statutory timeframe of 27 March," the spokesperson added.

The Taoiseach told an audience at Bloomberg's offices in New York: "I hope that the elected members of the assembly will now focus through their parties on actually putting an executive in place within the three weeks from the date of the election.

Analysis - BBC News NI's Political Editor Mark Devenport

During his St Patrick's Day visit to the United States Enda Kenny made two striking comments about Northern Ireland first saying he had a deal with Theresa May on no return to direct rule and then indicating he wishes to remain in office until there is a resolution to the deadlock at Stormont.

Initially the UK government appeared reluctant to respond but they have now underlined that they see maintaining political stability in Northern Ireland as the UK's responsibility and that ministers are still focussing on the 27 March deadline for restoring the power sharing executive

The statement does not directly deny Mr Kenny's claims regarding a prime ministerial deal but nor does it substantiate them or lend credence to speculation about a second election

"If that doesn't happen the secretary of state for Northern Ireland (James Brokenshire) would then either have to hold further elections or have direct rule again from Britain.

"I have spoken very clearly to the British prime minister and we are both agreed that there will be no return to direct rule from London.

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Talks between Northern Ireland's political parties and the UK and Irish governments are continuing with a view to restoring a power-sharing executive at Stormont

"So I do hope that the executive can be put in place, because this has implications for the peace process."

The DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson told the BBC's Sunday News that he was not aware of any agreement between Mrs May and Mr Kenny regarding no return to direct rule.

"We had no indication from the government at Westminster that they have agreed that line with Dublin so I think Enda was pushing the boat out a little on that one," he said.

Talks between Northern Ireland's political parties and the UK and Irish governments are continuing with a view to restoring a power-sharing executive at Stormont after this month's assembly election.

A third week of negotiations are due to resume on Monday.

Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny has indicated that he will not step down until political uncertainty in Northern Ireland and over Brexit is resolved.

Speaking during a week-long visit to the United States, he said those issues are his "immediate priorities".